Saudi Arabia: SABER Shipment Certificate Validity Extended to 90 Days
Saudi Arabia Extends SABER Shipment Certificate Validity from 60 to 90 Days: What Importers and Manufacturers Need to Know
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has extended the validity period of the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) issued through its SABER platform from 60 days to 90 days. The change, announced on 16 September 2026, applies to commercial products imported into the Kingdom and is now reflected on SABER's official service page.
The measure is presented by SASO as a trade facilitation initiative designed to simplify import procedures and give beneficiaries more time to complete their requirements efficiently. For manufacturers, exporters and importers of regulated products including electrical, electronic, and telecommunications equipment the update provides additional flexibility in managing shipping schedules, port delays and customs clearance.
Regulatory Background: The SABER Conformity System
SABER is SASO's electronic conformity assessment platform. It connects Saudi importers and local manufacturers with SASO-approved Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) and is fully integrated with FASAH, the national customs clearance platform. Since the SABER–FASAH integration, customs authorities electronically verify conformity certificates when the customs declaration is filed; shipments without the required certificates registered on SABER risk being re-exported.
Two certificates govern market access for regulated products:
Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC): issued per product model by a SASO-approved CAB, confirming compliance with the applicable Saudi technical regulation.
Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC): issued per consignment through SABER, linking the shipment to a valid PCoC (or importer self-declaration for non-regulated products). It is a mandatory document for customs clearance.
Only importers holding a valid Saudi commercial registration can register on SABER and apply for these certificates; foreign manufacturers must work through their Saudi importer.
Key Changes to SABER Shipment Certificate Validity
The update modifies only the validity period of the shipment certificate. All other parameters remain the same.
Parameter | Before | After (from September 2026) |
SCoC validity | 60 days | 90 days |
Additional time available | — | +30 days |
Scope | Imported commercial products | Imported commercial products (unchanged) |
Issuance time | 1–2 working days | 1–2 working days (unchanged) |
SABER fee | SAR 350 (excl. VAT) | SAR 350 (excl. VAT) (unchanged) |
Certificate model | One certificate per shipment | One certificate per shipment (unchanged) |
Prerequisites | Product registration + PCoC or self-declaration | Unchanged |
What This Means for Manufacturers
More tolerance for logistics disruptions. The previous 60 day window could expire for shipments affected by long ocean transit, transshipment, port congestion or documentary delays, forcing importers to apply for and pay for a new SCoC. The 90-day window significantly reduces this risk, particularly for sea freight from Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Earlier certificate issuance becomes practical. Importers can now request the SCoC earlier in the shipping cycle without the certificate lapsing before goods reach Saudi ports. This allows compliance teams to finalize documentation before dispatch rather than racing against arrival dates.
Lower risk of re-issuance costs. Because the SAR 350 fee applies to every shipment certificate, a lapsed certificate means an avoidable additional cost. The extension reduces the frequency of re-applications caused by expiry.
No change to technical compliance obligations. The extension does not relax product requirements. Products must still be registered on SABER and covered by a valid PCoC (issued by a SASO-approved CAB) or an importer self-declaration, and they must continue to meet the applicable Saudi technical regulations and standards.
Telecom and ICT equipment. For products regulated jointly with the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), SABER maintains a dedicated shipment certificate user guide. Manufacturers of radio and ICT devices should ensure their CST type approval and SASO conformity documentation remain aligned, as the shipment certificate still depends on a valid underlying product certificate.
Certification Impact Summary
Certificate / Element | Impacted? | Impact |
Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) | Yes | Validity extended from 60 to 90 days |
Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) | No | Validity, issuing process and CAB requirements unchanged |
Importer self-declaration (non-regulated products) | No | Process unchanged; SCoC issued afterwards benefits from 90 days |
SABER product registration | No | No change |
FASAH customs clearance | Indirect | More time to complete clearance before the SCoC expires |
SABER fees | No | SAR 350 per SCoC; SAR 500 to register a PCoC (excl. VAT) |
CST type approval (telecom/ICT) | No | Separate requirement, unaffected by this change |
Timeline and Required Actions
Key milestones
Date | Milestone |
1 July 2020 | SABER and FASAH integration completed; electronic verification of conformity certificates at customs |
Until September 2026 | SCoC validity of 60 days from issuance |
16 September 2026 | SASO announces extension of SABER shipment certificate validity to 90 days |
September 2026 onward | SABER service page lists 90-day SCoC validity |
1 October 2026 | (Related) Mandatory labeling of supplier name and commercial registration number on products under 10 technical regulations |
1 December 2026 | (Related) Updated energy efficiency requirements for air conditioners become mandatory |
Required actions for manufacturers and importers
Update internal procedures. Revise logistics and compliance SOPs, shipping calendars and ERP alerts that are still configured for a 60-day SCoC expiry.
Confirm transition treatment with SABER. SASO's notice does not explicitly state whether certificates issued before the announcement automatically benefit from 90 days. Check the validity date displayed on each existing SCoC in SABER, or contact SABER technical support (ecare@saber.sa, +966 920008673).
Verify PCoC expiry dates. Ensure product certificates remain valid throughout the full shipping and clearance window.
Align with your Saudi importer. Agree on when the SCoC should be requested so that the 90-day window fully covers transit and customs clearance.
Review labeling compliance. Confirm that products under the 10 affected technical regulations carry the supplier name and commercial registration number required from 1 October 2026.
Keep documentation consistent. Make sure commercial invoices and packing lists match the product details registered on SABER to avoid rejection or delays at FASAH.
Conclusion
The extension of SABER shipment certificate validity from 60 to 90 days is a practical, business-friendly adjustment that reduces the risk of certificate expiry during transit and customs processing. While it does not change the underlying technical requirements for entering the Saudi market, it gives importers and manufacturers greater flexibility to plan shipments and complete clearance. Companies exporting to Saudi Arabia should update their internal timelines now, confirm the status of existing certificates, and continue monitoring SASO and SABER notices for further changes.
